THE SIKH'S DISC OF DEATH.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 6, 22 January 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE SIKH'S DISC OF DEATH.

STRANGE WEAPON OF THE INDIAN TROOPS.

The Sikhs fighting in the war can certainly claim to possess the most unique form of weapon of any military unit in the campaign. This is a hand-thrown missile, composed of metal similar in shape to the discus with which we have been rr.ade familiar in Roman history. Its edge is sharpened like a razor, and the weapon, when thrown with a peculiar circular motion, has extraordinary penetrating power. It cuts like a knife through paper when it strikes any object In Its path At a distance of a hundred yards the disc is capable of cutting its way through a piece of hard wood 2in. thick. It is the peculiar twist given to the weapon when it is thrown which causes the cutting edge to bury itself so remorselessly in anything that it meets. It is doubtful whether any but the Sikhs could effectively use this unique weapon. They made deadly use of the disc of death at the Battle of Dixmude, when 20,000 Germans are said to have been slaughtered in a brilliant Indian charge.